HILARY AND JACKIE (1998)
Rating: 2.0 stars (out of 4.0) ******************************** Key to rating system: 2.0 stars - Debatable 2.5 stars - Some people may like it 3.0 stars - I liked it 3.5 stars - I am biased in favor of the movie 4.0 stars - I felt the movie's impact personally or it stood out ********************************* A Movie Review by David Sunga
Directed by: Anand Tucker
Written by: Frank Cottrell-Boyce, adapted from a book by Hilary and Piers du Pre
Ingredients: sisters, cello, psychological problems
Starring: Rachel Griffiths, Emily Watson
Synopsis: Hilary (Rachel Griffiths) and Jackie (Emily Watson) are two musical sisters, but HILARY AND JACKIE is mostly about Jackie because it is based on the real life of extraordinary cellist Jacqueline du Pre. In the story, cello genius Jackie has mental problems. On the one hand she maintains an intensely jealous psychological rivalry against her sister Hilary. On the other hand, Jackie shares an overpowering bond of sisterly love with Hilary. This leads to bizarre escapades such as Jackie's trying to share Hilary's husband, and trying to destroy a priceless cello by freezing it in cold weather. Will everything turn out all right for the troubled cellist?
Opinion: There are two ways to take this story. On the one hand, if you walk into the film blind, the cinematic style is troublesome. The plot wanders unfocused until an emotional ending puts up a syrupy "that's life" theme. On the other hand, if you're a big cello fan, interested in the material, and are familiar with the story of the brilliant Jacqueline du Pre, then you could become intrigued by the enigmatic, factual element of du Pre's tragic life. Emily Watson gives a solid performance as the beloved cellist.
Reviewed by David Sunga January 16, 1999
Copyright © 1999 by David Sunga This review and others like it can be found at THE CRITIC ZOO: http://www.criticzoo.com email: zookeeper@criticzoo.com
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